The Tolkien Frequently Asked Questions List

by William D. B. Loos

(last updated 08 Jul 1996)

The Tolkien Frequently Asked Questions List (FAQ), is the first of
two informational files on J.R.R. Tolkien and his writings, the other
being the Less Frequently Asked Questions List (LessFAQ). The
division of questions follows several general criteria. The FAQ leans
towards questions of interest to people who have read only The
Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, together with most
questions on Tolkien himself and on topics which seem fundamental to
his worldview (his linguistic games in particular). The LessFAQ
contains questions of a more obscure nature, most questions arising
from posthumous works, and in general aspects of the nature and
history of Middle-earth which are important but tangential to The
Lord of the Rings. There is also an element of personal
arbitrariness. All available sources have been used for both lists.
Criticisms, corrections, and suggestions are of course welcome.

William D.B. Loos
loos@hudce.harvard.edu

Table of Contents

Sections/questions marked as follows:
* have been revised since the last release** are new since the last release